TAKE YOUR MARKS

It's possible umpires throughout the Lincolnshire League will be marked next season.
Currently only those in the premier division are graded - but there's a move within the umpiring ranks to try to get additional marking introduced in divisions one, two, three and four from next season.
Another alternative is to grade officials in the premier, division one and division two - but not the lowest two sections.
It will obviously need all three associations representing umpires in the Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Lincoln areas to agree, or it's a non-starter. And one of those has yet to consider the matter.
The Lincolnshire League will also have to sanction whatever proposal the umpires collectively may decide to request.
The issue was raised, briefly, at the league's AGM last month by one of the umpires' representatives, who explained there was an idea to grade officials not only in the premier but also in divisions one and two - something which fitted in well with the national policy to help spot, and fast-track, up-and-coming officials.
The immediate response was very positive. Indeed, two club reps suggested it would be better, and simpler, if marking was done for all divisions - not just premier, one and two.
Should all three umpires' associations be in agreement, the proposal should re-appear at the Lincs League's mid-winter meeting in January at Market Rasen CC.
If the majority of clubs approve it - and it will be surprising if there's much, or any, opposition - the official league scoresheet will require only a slight amendment to bring the change into force from next April.
It's long been the practice to mark all umpires in matches in the North Lindsey League on Sundays - a trophy going to the official with the highest marks at the end of the season. The same applies in the Lincs League premier division.
So it is somewhat strange the other four sections of the Lincs League - that's the majority of games played in the competition - have not seen the marking of umpires in recent years.
It was the case some time ago, and for many years, that captains throughout the Lincs League were asked to comment on the scoresheet. But there was no marking system: We skippers made comments like "Very Good" or "Good" to sum up the match officials. Not very scientific, which is probably why it was dropped. However it did give at least a guide.
Currently, with no marking in divisions one to four inclusive, umpires have no idea what the teams really think of the way they have performed.
True, captains aren't usually qualified umpires but markings given collectively, and evened out over a full season, will offer a reasonable reflection of how officials have performed.
It will help those - and there may be only a few - who are considering moving up a level to begin umpiring in the Lincs League premier division. The marks will also assist those who make appointments to matches and also the people who oversee umpires' development - locally and at a higher level.